Moistened toilet tissue and dispenser

ABSTRACT

Moistened tissue and dispenser includes a roll of moistened tissue disposed in a resealable cover. A flap on the cover can be opened to expose the roll of moistened tissue. The tissue can be removed through an opening in the cover and separated at a perforation. The cover can be resealed to inhibit the drying of the moistened tissue.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally relates to a moistened toilet tissue and dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Many individuals suffer from irritable bowel from a variety of causes. Such individuals may need to relieve their bowels on a relatively frequent basis. The frequent wiping with conventional toilet tissue tends to irritate user's skin, often resulting in an itching or a burning sensation which is unpleasant. Also, the use of conventional toilet tissue my not provide suitable cleansing of the user's skin.

Flushable wipes are known. Such wipes typically are presented as individual sheets in a relatively large closeable plastic container. Some types of such moistened wipes are sold under the name brands COTTENELLE FRESH CARE FLUSHABLE MOIST WIPES and CHARMIN FRESHMATES flushable wipes. Each of these products provides a pre moistened wipe that can be used by a user to wipe an area affected area on a user Such wipes may tend to reduce discomfort associated with frequent wiping with conventional non-moistened toilet tissue. However, the dispensers for such premoistened wipes are relatively large and cannot be used in conventional toilet paper holders. Also the individual sheets tend to be relatively large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment, there is provided moistened tissue and dispenser comprising a core. The moistened tissue and dispenser further comprises a roll of moistened tissue wherein the tissue is formed as a continuous sheet. The sheet contains perforations for allowing separation of individual segments of moistened tissue at the perforation. The continuous sheet formed into a roll about the core. The moistened tissue and dispenser further comprises a cover disposed over the roll and engaging the core. The cover defines a resealable opening and a flap to allow the moistened tissue to be removed from the cover when the flap is in an open position and for sealing the cover when the flap is in a closed position

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment showing the flap in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment showing the flap in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of one embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Moistened tissue and dispenser is generally shown at 10, in the Figures. A core 12 is provided. In an embodiment, the core may comprise a generally cylindrical shape. The core 12 may be sized so that it can be place on a spindle in a conventional toilet paper holder. The core 12 may comprise a plastic material that is suitably low in friction to permit relative rotational movement of the core 12, as will be further described below. It will be appreciated, however, that the core 12 may comprise any suitable material.

A roll of moistened tissue 14 may be disposed about the core 12. In one embodiment, the moistened tissue 14 may be formed as a continuous sheet that is rolled about the core 12. The moistened tissue may include perforations 15. The perforations may allow separation of individual segments of moistened tissue at the perforations 15. The perforations 16 may be place at any suitable location to permit tissues of a selected size to be separated from the roll 14.

In an embodiment, the roll of moistened tissue 14 may comprise primarily wood pulp and water forming the sheet of tissue in any known manner. The thickness of the sheet may be optimized to permit a suitable number of sheets within the roll that can fit within conventional toilet tissue holders. It will be appreciated, however, that the roll can comprise any suitable size and need not fit in conventional toilet tissue holders. Similarly, the sheets may be of any desired thickness.

A separate core 12 as discussed may be used. In another embodiment, the roll of moistened tissue 14 may be wound about a mandrel or spindle which may be then removed from the roll. In such an embodiment, an opening remains within the roll 14. The inner most tissues thus act as a core within the context of the present invention. In such an embodiment, a separate core 12 may not be necessary.

The tissue in the roll 14 may be moistened with any suitable moisturizing agent. Such moisturizing agent may comprise water and other ingredients. Also, suitable moisturizing agents are those known in the art and currently in use in the commercial products identified above. It will be appreciated, however, that any suitable moisturizing agent may be used within the context of the present invention. Further, the moistened tissue 14 may include other components, such as by way of non-limiting example, emollients, ointments, antibacterials, antimicrobials, cleansers or any combination of such components.

In an embodiment, the moistened tissue of the roll 14 is safe for sewers and septic tanks. That is, in an embodiment, the moistened tissue of the roll 14 may be flushed down a toilet without harming either the sewer system or a septic system.

A cover, generally indicated at 16 is also provided. The cover 16 is disposed about the roll of moistened tissue 14. The cover 16 may be disposed so as to resealably retain the roll of moistened tissue 14 within the cover 16. The cover 16 may seal the roll of moistened tissue 14 to inhibit the drying of the moistening agent from the moistened tissue in the roll 14. The cover 16 may comprise any suitable material. In one embodiment, the cover 16 may comprise a metal foil. In one embodiment, the cover may comprise a plastic material. Again, however, any suitable material may be used for the cover. The cover may also have any desired color or decoration 30 thereon.

The cover 16 may define an opening 18. The opening 18 may be resealable. The cover 16 may also include a flap 20. The flap 20 may be integrally formed with the cover 16. The flap 20 may be sized such that it is relatively larger than the opening 18 and is generally disposed over the opening and over the periphery of the opening 18. At least one of the flap 20 or the periphery of the opening 18 may include a suitable adhesive 22. The adhesive 22 may allow the flap 20 to be releasably secured to the periphery of the opening 18. When the flap is secured to the periphery of the opening 18, the cover 16 is in a closed position (FIG. 1). The adhesive allows the flap 20 to be released from the periphery of the opening 18 by application of sufficient pulling force and the flap 20 can then move to an open position. When the flap 20 is in the open position (FIG. 2), the moistened tissues of the roll 14 can be removed from the cover 16.

In one embodiment, the cover 16 may include a generally cylindrical outer wall 22 that is disposed about the roll of moistened tissue 14. The cover 16 may also include an inner generally cylindrical portion 24. The core 12 may be disposed about the inner generally cylindrical portion 24 and may be rotatable relative thereto. Side walls 26 may extend between the generally cylindrical outer wall 22 and the inner generally cylindrical portion 24. In an embodiment, the generally cylindrical inner portion 24 includes an opening therethrough. The opening may extend the length of the generally cylindrical inner portion 24. The opening is adapted to receive a spindle of a tissue holder. The cover 16 can be made as a single piece that is sealed together, or can be made as multiple pieces that are sealed.

The core 12 of the roll 14 may be disposed about the generally cylindrical inner potion 24 and the roll of moistened tissue 14 may be disposed between the generally cylindrical inner portion 24, the generally cylindrical outer wall 22 and the side walls 26. When disposed in this manner, the core 12 and thereby the roll of moistened tissue 14 on the core 16 can rotate relative to the generally cylindrical inner portion 24. Such relative rotational movement allows the core 12 and the roll of moistened tissue 14 to rotate relative to the opening 18. In this way, the cover 16 and the opening 18 thereof may remain in a relatively constant position while the roll of moistened tissue 14 rotates to allow the tissues to be removed from the roll 14 and through the opening 18.

While the outer wall 22 and inner portion 24 are described as being generally cylindrical, it will be appreciated that each of the outer wall 22 and inner portion may take any suitable configuration. That is, in other embodiment, the outer wall 22 and inner potion 24 may be have a configuration other than generally cylindrical

In order to use the moistened tissue and dispenser 10, the roll of moistened tissue 14 that is sealed within the cover 16 as set forth above are placed about a spindle of a toilet tissue holder (not shown). More specifically, a spindle of a toilet tissue holder may be placed through the interior of the generally cylindrical inner portion 24. A user may then open the flap 20 to the open position to expose the roll of moistened tissue 14 through the opening 18. The moistened tissue may be grasped and pulled through the opening 18 to a desired length and then may be separated at a perforation 15. The roll of moistened tissue 14 may rotate relative to the opening 18 in the cover 16. The user then applies the removed tissue to the area to be treated. The used tissue may then be flushed down the toilet. When the user completes the use of the moistened tissue, the user tucks the exposed moistened tissue back into the cover 16 through the opening 18 and moves the flap 20 to the closed position. The adhesive 22 seals the flap 20 about the periphery of the opening 18.

In an embodiment, the core 12 and cover 16 are recyclable. The cover 16 may be unsealed to permit a new roll of moistened tissue 14 to be placed within the cover 16. The cover 16 may then be resealed and reused. The core 12 may also be reused by having a new roll of moistened tissue 14 wound thereabout. In an embodiment, a user may send the cover 16 and core 12 to a facility for recycling and/or reuse.

The foregoing description is considered illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The terminology that is used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Furthermore, because numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and process shown as described above. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents that may be resorted to fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Moistened tissue and dispenser comprising: a core; a roll of moistened tissue wherein the tissue is formed as a continuous sheet wherein the sheet contains perforations for allowing separation of individual segments of moistened tissue at the perforation, the continuous sheet formed into a roll about the core; a cover disposed over the roll and engaging the core, the cover defining a resealable opening and a flap to allow the moistened tissue to be removed from the cover when the flap is in an open position and for sealing the cover when the flap is in a closed position.
 2. Moistened tissue and dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein resealable opening is of a size that is relatively smaller than the size of the flap such that the flap can be disposed over a periphery of the resealable opening to thereby place the flap in a closed position to seal the cover.
 3. Moistened tissue and dispenser as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least one of the flap or the cover includes an adhesive to seal the flap with the cover when the flap is in a closed position.
 4. Moistened tissue and dispenser as set forth in claim 2 wherein the core is generally cylindrical.
 5. Moistened tissue and dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cover is disposed about the roll and the core and allows for relative rotational movement between the core and the cover.
 6. Moistened tissue and dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein the cover comprises an outer wall, at least one side wall, and a generally cylindrical inner portion, the side wall interconnecting the out wall and generally cylindrical inner portion.
 7. Moistened tissue and dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein the moistened tissue is sewer and septic safe.
 8. Moistened tissue and dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein the moistened tissue includes an emollient.
 9. Moistened tissue and dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein the moistened tissue includes a cleanser.
 10. Moistened tissue and dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cover is generally cylindrical shaped.
 11. Moistened tissue and dispenser as set forth in claim 9 wherein the cover includes a decorative pattern on an outer surface thereof. 